Nexus 5 users are in for a special treat, as the CyanogenMod team has rolled out the CyanogenMod 11 Milestone 1 (CM11 M1) update upfront for the Nexus devices. The new CM11 M1 update brings the latest Android 4.4 KitKat features with improved stability and performance, thanks to bug-less coding at the hardware level.

Interested users can follow our step-by-step guide to install Android 4.4 KitKat via CM11 M1 ROM. IBTimes UK will not be held liable for any device damage during or after firmware installation. Users are advised to proceed at their own risk.

Pre-requisites

The CyanogenMod 11 Milestone 1 ROM and the instructions given in this guide are meant for the LGNexus 5 model only. Verify device model number by navigating to Settings > About Phone.

Back up data and settings using a recommended custom recovery tool, like ClockworkMod (CWM) or TWRP, as it creates a complete image of the existing phone setup.

Ensure USB debugging mode is enabled on the phone, by navigating to Settings > Developer Options (NOTE: Tap the phone's Build Number seven times to unlock or reveal the hidden Developer Options under Settings.) Then select the checkbox to enable USB debugging mode under Settings > Developer Options.

Make sure the phone has at least 80% battery charge to prevent unexpected device shutdown (due to battery drain) while installing the ROM.

Ensure the device is unlocked (not locked to a specific carrier) and rooted with CWM Recovery v6.0.4.3 or TWRP v2.6.3.0. Also, make sure that its bootloader is unlocked.

If the device is stuck at booting or experiencing boot loop issues, perform Wipe Cache Partition and Wipe Dalvik Cache a few more times before rebooting.

Allow newly installed ROM to stabilise for five minutes before you start working on it.

The CyanogenMod Android 4.4 KitKat ROM can be installed on the Nexus 5 using either CWM or TWRP recovery. Follow any method based on the recovery tool installed on your device.

How to Install via CWM Recovery

Step-1: Disconnect the phone from computer and then power it off. Wait for four to five seconds until the device completely shuts down.

Step-2: Boot the Nexus 5 into CWM recovery mode. To do so, press and hold Volume Down and Power buttons together and then release the Power button once the Google logo appears while still holding the Volume Down button. The phone should enter Bootloader mode now.

Tap Volume Down two times so that Recovery option will appear and then hit the Power button to reboot into recovery mode.

Note: In recovery mode, use Volume buttons to navigate between options and Power button to select the desired option.

Step-3: Perform a data backup from CWM recovery. So that you can restore your data and settings in case something goes wrong during firmware installation.

Step-4: Do a Factory Reset (This will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). To perform a Factory Reset, choose Wipe data/Factory reset then select Yes on next screen to confirm the action. Then perform a system format. To do so, go to Mounts and Storage and select format /system. Then hit Yes on the next screen to confirm.

Step-5: Select install zip then select choose zip from sdcard. Now browse to the Android 4.4 CyanogenMod 11 Milestone 1 ROM zip which was copied earlier to the phone. Select it and then choose Yes on the next screen to confirm.

NOTE: If the device gets stuck at boot animation or startup logo, just do a factory reset once again and reboot the phone. This should fix the issue.

How to Install via TWRP Recovery

Step-1: Boot the phone into recovery mode. To do so, power off the phone and wait for about four to five seconds until the device shuts down. Press and hold Volume Down and Power buttons together and release the Power button once the Google logo appears but continue holding the Volume Down button. The device will now enter Bootloader Mode.

Step-2: Tap the Volume Down two times so that Recovery option will appear and then hit the Power button to reboot into recovery mode.

Note: In recovery mode, use Volume buttons to scroll between options and Power button to select the option.

Step-3: Perform a Nandroid Backup from TWRP recovery. This is helpful if something goes wrong during the firmware installation and users want to restore back to original settings.

Step-4: Nowdo a Factory Reset (This will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). Tap on Wipe then scroll to the bottom of screen and do a Swipe on the Swipe to factory reset option. Also perform a system format. To do so, tap on Wipe, select Advanced Wipe and then hit System. Now, scroll down to the bottom of screen and do a swipe on Swipe to wipe option.

Step-5: Click Install. Browse and select the Android 4.4 KitKat CM11 M1 ROM file which you saved earlier. After selecting the file, go to the bottom of screen and perform a swipe on the Swipe to Confirm Flash option to begin flashing.

Step-6: Once the ROM flashing is completed, repeat the step 5 to install Google Apps.

Step-7: After the installation process is done, return to the main recovery menu and hit Reboot. Now tap on System to reboot the phone. The phone will take some time for first reboot.

Once the Nexus 5 boots up to home screen, it should be running Android 4.4 KitKat via newly installed CyanogenMod 11 M1 firmware.